An Arizona couple was arrested Tuesday after three sisters told police that they have been help captive in their home for possibly the past two years.
Police said a 34-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman were booked into the Pima County Jail on suspicion of three counts of kidnapping, three counts of child abuse-emotional abuse and three counts of child abuse-physical abuse, the Associated Press reported.
The man was charged with one count of sexual abuse of a person under age 15, police said.
Tucson Police Capt. Michael Gillooly said at a news conference that all three girls — ages 12, 13 and 17 — were malnourished and dirty, AP reported.
The girls lived in filthy conditions and told police they only got to eat once a day.
Police were called to the residence at about 4 a.m. Tuesday on reports from a neighbor of a disturbance, Capt. Gillooly said.
The two younger sisters told officers that they ran to the neighbor’s home after their stepfather kicked in the door and threatened them with a knife. The oldest girl was found in a bathroom, the AP said.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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